Training Aid for Skaters

ABSTRACT

A training aid for skaters is described which comprises a frame consisting of a seat, handle bars, and at least one leg or ski. Preferably the frame has four leg supports to provide maximum balance. However three leg supports with one front leg support and two rear leg supports, or two front leg supports and one rear leg support could be used. Alternatively, only one front leg support and one rear leg support could be used, or one front leg support and one rear leg support could be connected to a single ski. In some examples, the ends of the leg supports are comprised of pvc piping while in other cases the leg supports are attached to skis. Various forms of bracing can be used to strengthen the frame.

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Application No.2,797,075 filed Nov. 21, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to training aids and, more particularly, to adevice for use in the instruction of, or individual use by, a beginningskater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beginning skaters, particularly young ones, experience considerabledifficulty in mastering the sport, often out of fear of falling andsuffering injury, but also due to issues of coordination and balance.Once a child has taken a bad fall, he or she often times becomes soafraid as to give up trying to learn to skate or, at the least, becomesso cautious that the learning process is slow and lengthy.

In general, children learning to skate like the security of holding ontosomeone, usually a parent who may or may not be an experienced skater,but even this does not insure against an occasional fall. Also, a goodskater may not be available when needed or have the time and patiencerequired to teach the beginner. In any case, since development ofself-confidence is an essential ingredient of the learning process, thebeginner should not continue to lean on someone for security but,instead, go it alone as soon as possible.

While the need for training and safety devices for beginning skaters haslong been recognized (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 320,462 and321,867, issued in 1915) and a number of other skating aids have beenproposed more recently (U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,008 (1959) and U.S. Pat. No.4,021,033 (1977)), those devices have the disadvantages that they tendto restrict and confine the user in a manner which limits the ability toskate in the natural skating position. Also, all of these known deviceshave an upper hand rail to be grasped by the skater which, in the caseof the structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,033 is open at the rear,as security against falling. However, should the skater be distractedand release the grip on the hand rail, he/she may still fall onto theice or other skating surface. It is particularly desirable that thedevice include means for catching the skater, in the event of a fall,before he/she hits the ice but which does not interfere with naturalskating action.

Needs exist for improved skater training devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides new skater training devices.

Other features that a training device of this kind possesses include:simple and low cost construction; lightweight and compact configurationto facilitate its transport and storage; and easy height adjustment sothat it may be used by skaters of various ages and sizes.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an improvedmobile skating aid which builds the beginner's confidence by providingsupport without unduly interfering with his/her freedom of movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved skating aid ofthe type described which is of light weight, inexpensive and simpleconstruction and which is easily adjustable for use by skaters ofdifferent ages and sizes.

A further object is to provide an improved skating aid of the typedescribed which includes a seat for interrupting a fall and preventingthe user from striking the skating surface.

Briefly, the training aid for skaters according to the invention is aframe consisting of a seat, handle bars, and at least one leg or ski. Inone embodiment, the frame has four leg supports to provide maximumbalance. In another embodiment three leg supports are used with onefront leg support and two rear leg supports. In another embodiment thereare two front leg supports and one rear leg support. In anotherembodiment only one front leg support and one rear leg support is used.In another embodiment one front leg support and one rear leg support areconnected to a single ski. In some examples, the ends of the legsupports are comprised of pvc piping while in other cases the legsupports are attached to skis. Various forms of bracing can be used tostrengthen the frame.

The child is able to sit down on the frame and glide around the icesurface simply by pushing his or her feet. It also enables them to standup and hold on to the handle bars while skating. The structure isgenerally balanced so that it is safe and can not easily be tipped over.The frame can also include a short rope that can be used by a parent topull the child around on the ice surface, thereby encouraging him or herto want to move the structure around themselves, and which can beremoved once the child becomes a better skater

The frame is adjustable so that the seat and/or handle bars can beraised or lowered to suit the height of the child. The frame alsoincludes hinge means so that it is collapsible to allow for easytransportation and storage.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent, and a better understanding of its construction and operationwill be had, from the following detailed description read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention havingfour leg supports;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the inventionhaving one front leg support and two rear leg supports;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the inventionhaving two front leg supports and one rear leg support with an angledbrace;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the inventionhaving two front leg supports and one rear leg support having twovertical pieces and a cross-brace;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the inventionhaving one front leg support and one rear leg support;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the inventionhaving one front leg support and one rear leg support connected to asingle ski.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a training aid for skaters comprisinga main frame 2. A pair of front vertical leg support members 4, 6 areconnected by a front horizontal support member 8, each front verticalleg support member 4, 6 ending in a horizontal foot member 10, 12 whichrests on the ice surface. A pair of rear vertical leg support members14, 16 are connected by a rear horizontal support member 18, each rearvertical leg support member 14, 16 ending in a horizontal foot member20, 22 which rests on the ice surface. The front horizontal supportmember 8 and rear horizontal support member 18 are joined by a middlehorizontal support member 24. Positioned along the middle horizontalsupport member 24 is a seat 26. A pair of handle bars 28, 30 areconnected to the middle of the front horizontal support member 8 by avertical support column member 32. In FIG. 1 the frame is made of pvcpiping but any suitable material could be used.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a second embodiment of the inventionhaving one front vertical leg support member 34 and two rear verticalleg supports members 14, 16. The vertical support column member 32connects to the front leg support 34 and ends in a horizontal footmember 36. In this embodiment, horizontal foot members 20, 22 and 36 areskis. An optional cross brace member 38 can be used to support the frontleg support member 34.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a third embodiment of the inventionhaving two front vertical leg support member 4, 6 and one rear verticalleg support member 40 which ends in a horizontal foot member 42. In thisexample the optional cross brace member 38 can be used to support therear vertical leg support member 40.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a fourth embodiment of the inventionwhere the rear vertical leg support member 40 is comprised of twovertical pieces 44, 46 and a cross-bar 48.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a fifth embodiment of the inventionhaving one front vertical leg support member 34 and one rear verticalleg support member 40.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a sixth embodiment of the inventionhaving one front vertical leg support member 34 and one rear verticalleg support member connected to a single horizontal foot members 50which is a ski.

The frame 2 can also include a short rope 52 that can be used by aparent to pull the child around on the ice surface. The rope 52 can beattached at any point on the frame 2 and can be used with any embodimentof the invention.

At the points where the various components of the frame 2 are connected,various adjustment means, such as a telescoping post, can be used toraise or lower the seat and/or handle bars to suit the height of thechild. Telescoping posts can also be used in various locations to adjustthe width and height of the frame to suite the child. Where the variouscomponents of the frame 2 are connected, hinge means can be used so thatthe frame 2 is collapsible to allow for easy transportation and storage.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be evident that various changes and modifications maybe effected without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A skating training aid comprising: a frame comprising atleast one front vertical leg support member connected to a rear verticalleg support member by a horizontal support member, a seat positionedalong the horizontal support member, and a pair of handle bars connectedto the frame by a vertical support column member.
 2. A skating aidstructure to enable a child to ride, glide and push the structure aroundan ice surface while teaching the child to skate, the structurecomprising a seat and handle bars, wherein the child is able to sit downon the seat and glide around the ice surface simply by pushing thechild's feet, whereby the structure enables the child to stand up andhold on to the handle bars while skating, and wherein the structure isbalanced.
 3. The skating aid structure of claim 2, further comprising ashort rope that can be removed once the child becomes a better skaterbut for the beginning it is used to pull the child around on the icesurface, encouraging the child to want to move the structure around. 4.The skating aid structure of claim 2, further comprising: a frame havinga horizontal support, a seat connected to the horizontal support, handlebars connected to the horizontal support, at least one leg connected tothe horizontal support, and at least one sliding member connected to theat least one leg.
 5. The skating aid structure of claim 4, furthercomprising front and rear legs, each leg having a sliding member.
 6. Theskating aid structure of claim 4, further comprising front and rear legsand a single sliding member connected to the front and rear legs.
 7. Theskating aid structure of claim 4, further comprising parallel slidingmembers connected to the front and rear legs.
 8. The skating aidstructure of claim 4, wherein the sliding members comprise skis.
 9. Theskating aid structure of claim 2, wherein the legs comprise two frontlegs and one rear leg.
 10. The skating aid structure of claim 2, whereinthe legs comprise one front leg and two rear legs.
 11. The skating aidstructure of claim 2, further comprising a forward support connected tothe horizontal support and to the handle bars.
 12. The skating aidstructure of claim 11, wherein the forward support is turnable withrespect to the horizontal support and at least one front leg is turnablewith the forward support.
 13. A method of skater training, comprisingproviding a training aid structure for skaters, providing a seat on thetraining aid structure and providing handle bars on the training aidstructure holding the handle bars, and standing or sitting on the seatwhile sliding on the seat while sliding around a surface or pushing withfeet of the skater.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:providing a frame having providing a horizontal support, providing aseat connected to the horizontal support, providing handle barsconnected to the horizontal support, providing at least one legconnected to the horizontal support, and providing at least one slidingmember connected to the at least one leg.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising providing a rope, tying the rope to the structure,pulling on the rope while the skater slides around the surfaces, andremoving the rope when the skater becomes proficient.